Expectations

The “advanced portfolio” is the culminating part of the three-part package of the portfolio system.  The learning documented by this portfolio is “real world application.”  “Create a new portfolio”: candidates need to be sure they are using the “advanced portfolio.”

Each candidate creates this portfolio during student teaching and chooses artifacts according to his or her individual placement.  For the candidate’s portfolio to be “satisfactory,” each competency submission must be worthy of at least a “3” evaluation.  The “4” will be predominant; a “5” will be rare, if ever.  Satisfactory completion of the “Advanced Portfolio” is required for licensure.

Included in the “advanced portfolio” are the following parts:

·         Educational Autobiography: The candidate reviews his or her “developing portfolio” to determine whether to revise his or her “educational autobiography” or to write a completely new entry.

·         Philosophy Statement: “This I believe…”  The candidate will revise or rewrite what he or she submitted for the “developing portfolio.”

·         Clinical Placements: This list will include the candidate’s most recent placement first (student teaching placements) and the ED 185/215 placement last.  Include dates; school name, teacher name, subject(s); grade(s).

·         Reflection Statement: The candidate reflects on his or her development towards the goal of being a licensed teacher, focusing on his or her learning and insights since the completion of the “developing portfolio.”    The candidate shows evidence of having revisited his or her “developing portfolio” reflection statement.  Anticipate your next step as you look toward being that teacher you want to be.

Before the candidate finishes the semester prior to student teaching, the candidate should know who his or her “advanced portfolio” evaluator will be.  For most Secondary ED, Music ED, PE ED, Art ED minors, the evaluator will the candidate’s methods professor.  The final evaluator of the Elementary ED candidate’s “developing portfolio” will be his or her “advanced portfolio” evaluator.  Each candidate and his or her evaluator need to be in communication throughout the student teaching semester as the candidate prepares the portfolio. 

The due date is communicated no later than midterm of the semester. 

·         Fall semester “advanced portfolios” usually are due at the beginning of the week of Thanksgiving.

·         Spring semester “advanced portfolios” usually are due one week before the last day of classes.

To receive credit for the portfolio, the candidate must redo any portfolio that is not satisfactory. 

A satisfactory portfolio is a requirement for completion of the Luther College licensure program.

The “advanced portfolio” plus the “public presentation” of the portfolio is the “senior project for Elementary Education candidates and is graded.